Boris Johnson is to be investigated by Scotland Yard over breaches of covid regulations at Downing Street during lockdown, the Met Police chief has confirmed.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick confirmed her officers are now investigating “a number of events” in Downing Street and Whitehall in relation to potential breaches.
Confirming an investigation, Dick said the Met “would do the right thing and we have always done the right thing”
She said: “What I can tell you this morning is that as a result of the information provided by the Cabinet Office inquiry team and, secondly, my officers’ own assessment, I can confirm that the Met is now investigating a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years in relation to potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations.”
She added: “My officers have assessed several other events that appear to have taken place at Downing Street and Whitehall. On the available information, these other events are assessed as not reaching a threshold for criminal investigation.”
“I should stress the fact that we are now investigating does not, of course, mean that fixed penalty notices will necessarily be issued in every instance and to every person involved.”
“We will not be giving a running commentary on our current investigations but I can assure you that we will give updates at significant points as we would generally do.”
The move means that the report by senior civil servant Sue Gray into the partygate events may be delayed until next week and the full contents may have to be redacted so as not to prejudice any police investigation.
Ian Blackford, the SNP Westminster leader, said he was delighted that the Met will investigate alleged covid law breaking around events at 10 Downing Street.
He tweeted: “Nobody should be above the law.”
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